Parapharyngeal abscess presenting as masticatory otorrhoea-persistent foramen tympanicum as a route of drainage: a case report

Journal article

A 26-year-old woman presented to the emergency department of Queen Mary Hospital in August 2014 with fever and right otorrhea following extraction of her right lower third molar 5 days previously. Physical examination revealed right buccal swelling, limited mouth opening, and pus-like discharge in the right external auditory canal (EAC) exacerbated by mastication. There was no hearing loss or facial nerve palsy. Otoscopy revealed granulation tissue and pus arising from the anterior wall of the inner right EAC.Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan showed a right parapharyngeal rim enhancing collection (Fig 1) tracking into the right temporomandibular fossa. Enhancing soft tissue was seen at the inner one-third of the right EAC.A bony defect was present at its anterior wall, compatible with a persistent foramen tympanicum (also known as foramen of Huschke), allowing communication.

Authors: Lee, KH; Li, YL; Yu, ML

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Press
• Journal: Hong Kong Medical Journal
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 246-247
• Publication date: 2019-06-10
• DOI: 10.12809/hkmj177027
• EISSN: 2226-8707
• ISSN: 1024-2708
• Language: English
• Keywords: Surgery; Abscess; Masticatory force; Foramen; Medicine; Orthodontics; General surgery